Intense thunderstorms raged through Northern Virginia late Wednesday evening, bringing heavy rain, high winds, hail and tornadoes warnings from Spotsylvania to Prince William counties.

There were no reports of tornadoes touching down, but the National Weather Service said a funnel cloud was spotted moving from Fredericksburg into Stafford.

In September 2008 a Metrolink commuter train collided head-on with a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth, Calif., killing 25 people and injuring more than 100. On Dec. 1, 2013, a Metro-North commuter train derailed in the Bronx, killing four and injuring dozens of others. The train’s engineer had fallen asleep and failed to slow the train from over 82 mph to the maximum authorized 30 mph as it entered a curve.

Strong forces are at work to make emergency alerts more mobile and precisely targeted. Long gone are days when a siren blasting a loud horn near and far was sufficient to spur people to action. Now, people want information that’s precise, pertains specifically to them and is available wherever they are regardless of what they’re doing. Plus, studies show that people generally won’t take protective action unless they get an alert from at least two sources.

Prince William County police Chief Steve Hudson will retire April 1 after 34 years of service, according to a county press release.

Hudson announced his retirement Tuesday. Hudson was promoted to head the department in 2013 after serving 30 years as a patrol officer, a plain-clothes detective, sergeant and first sergeant. During his career, he also served as a SWAT team leader and academy instructor.

Hudson was the county’s third police chief.

St. Paul also offers SnowAlerts via e-mail and text messages in four languages.

Tim Harlow, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) | February 4, 2016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker noted an increased need for improved communication with private-sector companies, something spurred further by the ever-growing number of devices connecting to the Internet of Things.

Eyragon Eidam | February 9, 2016

LOUISA COUNTY, VA (NEWSPLEX) -- The Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Dominion Virginia Power are working together to demonstrate their ability to protect public health and safety in the event of a radiological emergency at the North Anna Power Station.

Local radio amateur group volunteers can help maintain communications until the normal operations resume.

Ken Reid | February 3, 2016

FEMA urges preparedness and offers tips to be ready when it counts.

FEMA | February 5, 2016